Those that are not pronounced continue to delay

It is a winback and difficult persuasion mission ahead of the leaders of the Union in Brussels. A little more than a year after the "no" French and Dutch in the draft Constitution, twenty-five will indeed strive, today and tomorrow, to persuade their views public, often hesitant and sometimes hostile, that the Union continues to operate. And it remains the place preferred to more effectively address topics of concern to Europeans: employment, security and justice, immigration, innovation and the protection of their environment.

Efforts to listen to

This Europe of projects and the results desired by the France and the Commission to boost integration today fails, agree with little by little all Member States, aware that, for the moment, the Constitution and its institutional reforms are frozen or sentenced. The Brussels Summit will simply extend, one year at least, the period of reflection decreed in June 2005. Most of the 15 countries that have ratified the Constitution do not want the questioning while others, such as the France, be premature to try to revive the. Those that are not pronounced continue to delay.

Twenty-five is not forced to let sink the European project. They are committed to show that, despite the institutional impasse, Europe is progressing. They have even made some efforts to listen to public opinions: the redesign of the Bolkestein directive on the liberalisation of services is the best example, as well as the beginning of a more rigorous approach to future enlargements.

"This Europe of results, more democratic, more transparent and more efficient is essential from the period of reflection to a period of action and to address, the time has come, the constitutional question", but said José Manuel Barroso, the President of the Commission. The Austrian Presidency is well determined to set the Summit and before pass the torch to the Finland, several deadlines for Europe "at work" and "to listen to its citizens."

This should be the case for a global strategy on the issue of based migration, both on a better control on the borders of the Union and on increased cooperation with African countries to develop their economies, a Euro-African Conference to be held in Rabat early July to clarify this strategy. In the field of foreign policy, the France, which fears the offensive of the European Commission in the field of external relations in the absence of a Constitutional Treaty, want to see strengthen the role of the High Representative, Javier Solana, in his confident new diplomatic mandates.

But it is probably the issue of future enlargements which concerns more than Europeans. Also, the Summit should remind that these memberships both make Europe more competitive and more dynamic while increasing its weight on the international scene. As requested by Jacques Chirac, it should also commit to take more into account the "absorption capacity" of the Union to ensure that it is able to function politically, financially and institutionally when it welcomes new members (see below). The December Summit will focus more fully on this theme reflecting, in addition, in the way of change, if necessary, the perception of these enlargements by European public opinion.

Speak with one voice

The Europe of results should also be outlined in its social dimension and its industrial policy, to develop the knowledge and innovation, but also to develop a common energy policy. No one does, indeed, to acquire energy safe, sustainable and affordable, it is better to speak with one voice, either with the Russia, the neighbouring countries or the world Organization of trade.